Politics
We Must Work For The People, DELGA Boss Charges Councillors
As early as 8:30am on Monday, June 21,2021,the council premises at Degema Consulate, Headquarters of Degema Local Government Area, had been thronged by hilarious crowd of elegantly dressed people from all the 17 wards of the LGA.
The people had defied the heavy rains of the day and waited enthusiastically for long periods for the official swearing-in of their councillors and the vice chairman of the council for the next three years.
The out-gone chairman of the council,Alabo Tony Philmoore, with some members of his cabinet also made the day.They came and handed over council property in their possession to the new government and made formal their severance from the governance of DELGA.
At last, the much awaited moment, the swearing-in proper came.At about 2:46pm, the Vice Chairman, Mrs Maureen Obuba Harry, and all the councillors who were already seated for long hours mounted the rostrum. The oath of office was administered on them by some judicial officials.
Highly elated brand new councilors in frenetic mood took turns and shook hands with the council chairman, party leaders, their constituents, judicial and legislative officials etc as requested by protocol.
Then it was the turn of the chairman of the council, Hon. Michael John Williams, to mount the podium. His task was quite simple as he went straight to the point in reading the Riot Act to trouble makers in whatever guise, to stay clear of his government or be ready to face the wrath of his administration.
The chairman said, he would give a listening ear to the admonitions of leaders, provided such advice are fair, just and intended to promote the good governance of the LGA, arguing that the only calling of his administration is work,work and more work.
Addressing the councillors, Hon Williams enjoined them to shun self-serving interests and unnecessary squabbles amongst them, urging them to work as a team, while promoting the ideals of Governor Nyesom Wike in their various wards.
He urged them to avoid extern influences that would distract them from enacting by-laws that would better the lot of their constituents, assuring that his administration would create the enabling atmosphere for proper legislative business.
“We must work for the people together.Just two days,we have restored power in the axis.We must also do the right things always. Democracy must benefit us if we remain united. As councillors, you should always promote the principles and ethics of Wike in keeping Degema as one entity.You must be humble as you serve”,the chairman advised.
The council boss used the occasion to announce the appointment of a few officials: Mr Nicholas Harry, Secretary of the Council; Mr Ipalibo O.Yellow, Chief of Staff; Mr Daerefa Braide, Chief Press Secretary; Mrs Margaret Omualabo, Assist Chief Press Secretary, among others.
The chairman wished the legislators a happy session and took a bow and left the hallowed chambers.
As the chairman exited the chambers, the lawmakers settled for the day’s business which is to elect their principal officers.
At the end of the session, Barr Johnson E.Johnson representing Ward 8, Tombia, was elected as the Leader.Tamunoemi O.C. Harry, representing Ward 14, Obuama, emerged as Deputy Leader. Also elected was Cherry Braide, representing Ward 4, Banana, as Chief Whip.
Speaking with The Tide on the sideline of the events, the councillor representing Ward 9, Tombia, Ngokombo Agborubere, who contested the leadership of the house said the time of politicking was over, saying,’we have to join forces with the chairman and improve the lot of our people, even as I congratulate my brother, Johnson E. Johnson, as he became leader. It was never a do or die affair, but democracy allows free expression of the will of the people”.
Mr Agborubere promised effective and quality representation to his people.
Also, councillor representing Ward 7, Tombia, Alapuye S. Duke, in a chat with The Tide remarked that strategic synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government where each arm respecting the powers of the other is required for proper functioning of democracy at the grassroots level.
Hon. Duke said he would display a mature, quality and outspoken representation to his people, adding that the interest of his constituency shall be paramount in all considerations.
He promised to ensure that whatever is due his Ward shall be brought to them as he hopes to constantly get in touch with them.
The Ward 7 councillor said: “I will pursue the stimulation of educational programmes in my ward, I will also assist indigent persons in my ward the much I can.It shall be my responsibility to see myself as the peoples’ servant.Above all, I value and thank all people of my constituency’.
Hon.Duke further stated that the legislature was ready to make good by-laws and work with the chairman to develop the LGA.
It would be recalled that on April 19, 2021, the Rivers State Independent Electorial Commission (RSIEC) conducted chairmanship and councillorship elections in the 23 local government areas in Rivers State. Subsequently, the commission declared candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winners of all the 23 chairmanship and 319 electoral wards councillorship seats contested for.
On Thursday, June 17, 2021, Governor Nyesom Wike inaugurated the elected chairmen at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt.
By: Opaka Dokubo & Iminabo Fyneface
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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